Summary
Luke Hawkins, the rustic polymath of Lariat, finds his equilibrium disrupted by the arrival of a peripatetic theatrical troupe. His heart, previously tethered to the dusty plains, becomes ensnared by Mary Darling, a luminary of the 'mortgage melodrama' circuit. Driven by a quixotic impulse, Luke abandons his frontier familiarity for the labyrinthine sprawl of New York. In the metropolis, he undergoes a series of occupational metamorphoses before infiltrating Mary’s latest production as an inconspicuous extra. The narrative reaches its zenith when Luke, unable to distinguish between the artifice of the stage and the reality of his yearning, disrupts the performance. This unplanned intrusion of authentic emotion into a failing play paradoxically salvages the production, transforming a potential catastrophe into a triumphant spectacle of unintended genius, blending the sincerity of the West with the artifice of Broadway.
Synopsis
Jack-of-all-trades Luke Hawkins, of the western town of Lariat, falls in love with Mary Darling, the leading lady in a traveling theatrical troupe (of the old-fashioned "mortgage melodrama" variety). He follows her to New York, takes another series of jobs, and finally works as an extra in Mary's new production. Just as the play is about to flop, Luke recognizes Mary, and his rush to take her in his arms turns the show into a hit.
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